Alex Ovechkin became the first player in one hundred years to score consecutive hat tricks to start the season. Ovi even added a fourth goal in the second period Saturday to tally his fourth career four-goal game ever. In a third-period stretch between Thursday and Saturday, Ovechkin has scored seven goals.

This is the best start to a season in Ovechkin’s career. So surely, there must be a reason for his insane early-season success.

Except no one really could.

The Bakery

After the game, Alex Ovechkin spoke to reporters and insisted the goal bonanza is due to his hard work and location on the ice.

Ovechkin even butchered a famous Brooks Laich line to make his point.

Ovechkin: "As @brookslaich said, if you want money, go to the bank. If you want goals, go to the net." Uh, it was something like that.

New twigs

Maybe Ovechkin did change his training somewhat? Or maybe it’s his new linemates — Evgeny Kuznetsov and Jakub Vrana — who are a handful to defend themselves. The two players’ speed and stickhandling ability could be giving Ovechkin more open ice. Or maybe Ovi’s just having fun out there.

Who knows? Whatever the reason, Alex Ovechkin is on fire. And it’s another string of legendary performances in a legendary career.